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Falcons dismiss defensive backs coach

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Atlanta Falcons have made another change on their coaching staff, firing defensive backs assistant Alvin Reynolds.

The announcement Monday continues the shakeup that began after the Falcons were blown out by the New York Giants in the opening round of the playoffs.

Reynolds had been with the team since head coach Mike Smith was hired in 2008.

The Falcons lost Smith’s top two assistants when offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey took the head coaching job at Jacksonville and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder moved to the same post at Auburn. Dirk Koetter has taken over the offense, while Mike Nolan was hired to run the defense.

In addition to Reynolds, offensive line coach Paul Boudreau also was let go and quarterback coach Bob Bratkowski became Mularkey’s offensive coordinator at Jacksonville.

The Carolina signal caller, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 draft, was added to the NFC Pro Bowl squad Monday in place of New York’s Eli Manning. Manning and the Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship to advance to Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis, meaning Manning had to withdraw from the annual all-star game.

Newton completed 310 of 517 passes for 4,051 yards, the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. He also threw for 21 touchdowns with 17 interceptions to post an 84.5 quarterback rating.

Newton’s 14 rushing touchdowns are the most ever by an NFL quarterback in a season. He became the first quarterback ever to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in a season.

Newton was traveling Monday and unavailable for comment.

His agent James “Bus” Cook did not immediately return phone calls.

“It’s obviously a tribute to him and says a lot about his work ethic and his approach to the game,” Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said during a telephone interview from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. But “it’s not just one person, and Cam will certainly tell you that. A lot of people contributed to him reaching that goal. In this game, you are only as good as the people around you.”